The Apes

It’s hard to tell, sometimes, who is who and what is what around here. Do people impersonate humans? Have a cooled out Day 22 of Flash August Fiction, 2025. ape: verb, as in mimic Strongest matches: emulate, imitate. Strong matches: affect, caricature, copy, counterfeit, ditto, do, echo, impersonate, mirror, mock, parody, parrot, travesty. Misery is joy. None can be happy until they are miserable. The talents of others is determined by the talentless. Exceeding expectations is insubordinate. If one exceeds previous limits, there is denial. Success is not due to talent, or skill, or working hard, or focused attention. It’s bribed for, or traded for flesh. Nice days are not allowed. Silence must be broken, pleasantness is a myth. Smiles are conspiracies. Rewards are stolen. Joy is forbidden. Accusations are confessions. Accomplishment is piracy. Perception is paramount. Honesty is hidden. Improvement is forbidden. Preparation is for fools. Tasks must be incomplete. Love is fiction, sex is for bodies, odorous is ordinary. Cleanliness is costume. Rest is joyless, work is punishment. Compensation is undeserved. Payments are privileges. “You are fortunate that we allow you to work for us, you expect to pay you for the time we grant you, too?” Nothing is genuine. Everything is suspect. Individuals are objects. Organization is brutality. Tolerance is weakness. The apes bounded through the kitchen like toddlers. Shaking the house and frightening the children. Nobody knew how exactly this happened. They did the dishes and threw food into the oven. That sometimes turned out OK. People had to eat, so it was endured. Groceries were purchased, paper was handled. It’s somewhat remarkable what they can do. Homes are boroughs. Public appearances are productions. The End225 Words This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit commercialherschel.substack.com/subscribe